Packing case



July 3, 1928.

O. C. REEVES PACKING CASE Filed Dec. 3, 19225 gwvenot Orp/a 6T ,/EeeVes.

Patented July 3., 1928.

.l UNITED] STATES 1,675,957 PATENT OFFICE.)

ORWELL C. REEVES, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TOLEDO SCALE COiIPAANY,OF

^ Y TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PACKING CASE.

Application led December 3, 1923. Serielle. 678,084.

This invention relates to packing cases for l heavy articles andmachines of somewhat fragile nature, such as weighing scales.

. One of the principal objects of my invention is the provision of meansfor securelyv yet yieldably holding an article in place in a packingcasein such a manner as to reduce the probability of its being injuredby suddenl jars such as occur vwhen the case is roughly handled. v e

-Another object is the provision of means to so support an article inthe case that it will not'lie against nor be supported by a portion ofthe wallsof the case.

Another object is the provlsion of a. packing case embodying a resilientsupporting means for the article which is adapted to conformsubstantially to the contourof the article.

Another object is the provision of pneumatic means for retaining anarticle in a case, which means may be inflated or deflated withoutdisturbing the case ory its contents.

Still another object is to provide a method of packing whichnecessitates little effort on the part of the workman, as a supply ofair pressure is all that'is required, in lleu of the usual packingmaterials, such as excelsior, batting, cotton waste, etc., which arenecessarily expensive when used in large quantities.

And still another object is the provision of a packing case with packingof light weight, thus cutting down the cost of transportation of thearticle shipped and makingl costly practice of destroying the case andthe cushioning medium, which is usually of no I material value to theperson receiving it.

Other objects and advantages will be ap- 'l parent' from the followingdescription, 1n

which reference is had to the accompanymg drawings illustrating apreferred embodiment of my invention and wherein similar, referencenumerals designate slmilar partsv throughout the several views.

yIn the drawings l Figure I vis a vertical sectional view through apacking case showing a weighingscale of a well' known type in positionfor tional viewthrough one of the connections, showlng an automaticvalve therein.

Referringto the drawings, I have shown my invention as embodied in apacking case 1, preferably fabricated of metal to with-- stand roughhandling, and which is so shaped as to conform substantially with thecontour of the weighing scale 2 vof a well known type, the case in theillustration shown assuming the form of a prismoid. It is to beunderstood thatmy invention is susceptible to change and modification toaccommodate weighing scales of any shape or size, the embodiment shownbeing for purposes of illustration only.

The front portion 3 of the case 1 is hinged, as at 4, to providesuitable access to the case, the lower extremity of the hinged portionBbeing provided with a hasp 5 and a lock 6 to prevent tampering with thecase .or its contents and also to insure a positive closureof the case.

Surrounding the scale so that it is retained out of contact with anyportion of the walls of the case is a plurality of 'cushions 7 of rubberor other flexible material, each having a tubularconnection 8 leading toa depression 9 in the upper portion of the case 1. A plate 10 formlngthe lower wall of the depression contains a plurality of openings toreceive the free ends 11 of the connections 8 which are retained thereinby means of the nuts 12. The ends 11 of the connections 8 are littedwith automatic valves 14 of a' well known type similar to the valvesemployed in the stems of pneumatic tubes for automobile tires (seeFigure II), and, as they are not per se of my invention, they will notbe described in detail.

A cover 13 is provided to enclose the depression 9, one endv beinghinged, as at 16,

to facilitate the opening thereof, the free employed in inllatingautomobile tires, etc. The scale is then 'disposed within the case, thecushions 7 arranged in their proper to a source of air pressure-for examle, as

to a nozzle of an air supply tube ordinarily positions, the hinged cover3 closed and transportation; and

secured by means of the lock 6, and air a5 Figure II is an enlargedfragmentary secpressure subse uently a plied, causingthe A 'cushions v7to e dilate until the scale is securely heldin position. The air isretained within the cushions upon disconnecting the air supply by meansof the Valves 14 in the ends 11 of the connections 8.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that thel vpressurewithin the cushions 7 is sufficient to securely yet resil-A iently holdthe scale in its central position relative to the case and any tendencyfor the scale toA change its position resulting from rough handling ofthe case will be absorbed by the cushions 7, thus -precluding any damagewhich might result to the 4scale through the ordinary handling ofthepacking case during its transportations.

The embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is to beregarded as illustrative only,'and it is to4 be' understood that theinvention is susceptible to modification, variation and change withinthe spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described luy-invention, I claim:

combination, a packing case having an opening, a cover for said o ening,a plurality of pneumatic cushions o different sizes and shapes disposedin said case to fit around an article packed therein, and connectionsfrom said cushions to points readily ac-v cessible from the exterior ofsaid case for inlating or deflating said cushions. p

3. The combination in a. packing case for weighing scales, of aplurality of flexible pneumatic cushions arranged therein, acomvpartmentextending into said case from the exterior thereof, inating tubesextending from: said cushions into 'said compartment,

and an exterior door for said compartment. A

ORWELL c.` REEVES.

